FAQ

At Creator we like to make sure that our customers are fully informed prior to instructing our services.

As such, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you in your decision making process.
We hope this helps in making the right choice and instructing us today.

1. How is information obtained to complete the design/requested services?

There are many ways in which we can obtain information for a design however to keep it simple we offer two basic alternatives, these being;

• SITE VISIT - We can gain all of the information we need to complete a service by attending site and liaising with the parties involved as necessary. The site visit can be planned in at a time and location to suit. We will give you a price before or after the visit depending on the circumstances and your preferred method. Upon completion of the site visit we will produce a quotation for the works so you know what you are getting for your money. See ‘How much will it cost?’

• SCAFFOLD SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT – You can fill out a specification document and/or provide us with the information required based on the structure in question and we can do all of the work from anywhere in the world.

2. How much will it cost?

We don’t have a set cost as the variables are, well, variable. Each project, no matter how small, has its variables which beneficially or adversely affect the cost for our services. Let’s cut the mumbo-jumbo and get to the point of you knowing what a project will cost.

What we will do for each project is offer the following;

• ONE OFF COST - We will give you a one off cost based on the specification for the works. The quotation will be itemised and services described in detail so that you know what you are getting for your money. You can then take the simple action (as described on the quotation) to instruct our services.

• HOURLY RATE – We can offer you a flat rate per hour for our services. This is not the best method for yourselves, but we can offer it where necessary.

• DISCOUNT FOR PAYMENT UPFRONT - If you have a lot of spare cash in the bank and would like to reduce your bill further we will offer you a discount (as detailed on the quotation) for payment upfront. This option will not be for everyone but once you are completely confident of our capabilities it is an option none the less.

• REPEAT BUSINESS SAVINGS - For repeat business we will offer discounted rates – the more you spend the more you save. We will discuss this as our working relationship grows.

• REVISION COSTS – We will try in every instance to not charge for ‘small’ revisions as this is not what we are about – even if it is a small change in specification. If there are any major revisions to make we will inform you of the cost prior to carrying out any revision work. This will mean you will not be stung for revisions and are fully informed all the way.

• SITE VISIT COSTS – We can do this in two ways a) give you a cost prior to coming to site or b) give you a cost for the complete services once we have been to site. If you have not won the job yet don’t worry, just talk to us and we will come up with a solution to help you out.

• WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON PRICE – If you would like us to try and beat an existing price for a job which you have written confirmation of price from another design outfit, we will try and beat them on price.

• FULL PACKAGE OR REDUCED PACKAGE? – In order to provide you with a more competitive service we can offer a full package or a reduced cut down version of a full package. You will still get everything you need but with less trimmings. For instance we can produce A4 packages with supporting calculations, meaning the time spent on the project is less, thus reducing the on-costs to you.

These are just a few of the ‘cost’ options. We are extremely competitive and are happy to discuss alternative methods of remuneration.

3. How long will it take?

The age old question which is one of the most important for you when requesting a service. The simple answer is that the time to complete depends on the scale of the project and the requirements of the contract programme. Typically however the following principles apply;

• SMALL PROJECT – (For instance a small bridge span, medium size access scaffold design, scaffold inspection report etc) – We will aim to have the project, fully completed within 5-7 days from receipt of the order and all input material.

• MEDIUM SIZE PROJECT – (For instance an access scaffold to a block of flats, basic temporary roof design etc) – We will aim to have the project, fully completed within 7-10 days from receipt of the order and all input material.

• LARGE PROJECTS – (For instance network rail approval projects, Highways Agency projects etc) – We will aim to have the project, fully completed within 10 – 14 days from receipt of the order and all input material.

• The scale of the project is the biggest benefactor in design time however we will let you know, on the quotation, the timescale we will require. If we don’t achieve the timescale set (which we will) we will talk to you and reduce your bill accordingly. We can’t be fairer than that.

• WANT IT QUICKER? – Talk to us as we can offer a CREATOR-QUICK service which may result in an additional premium to cover overtime costs but we can definitely help in getting it back to you in CREATOR-QUICK time.

4. What will I receive from a design?

• You will receive the most detailed design service in the industry – we don’t just show lines, we show you all couplers and connection details, making our designs the best in the industry. Ultimately, the designs look good but foremost they are useful and serve a purpose.

• You will receive full supporting calculations using the most advanced design approach in engineering – Limit State Design. Very very few competitors adopt Limit State Design methodologies but the savings on final design are astounding.

• You will receive a designers’ risk assessment clearly identifying all residual risks.

• You will receive exactly what we said we would produce in the quotation!

5. How will I receive my designs?

We will issue all designs by email in pdf form and once you are happy with the package, we will issue copies in large print format in the post. We try to ensure we are a sustainable company and as such will only send drawings in the post once you are fully happy. Let us know if this is an issue and we can send all copies by post, but hope you will consider the environment as much as we do.

6. Where do we go from here?

Give us a call or drop us an email. One of our experienced engineers will be there to help you all the way!

What our customers say

Don't just take our word for it...

There are few opportunities to single out individuals in the field of scaffold design, but once in a while we meet one of those very rare talented individuals that immediately inspire confidence. Their ability to grasp any given design problem and find practical economical solutions is a gift few will achieve.

Ryan Berry is one of those gifted few. I have worked with him on many difficult scaffold projects over the past 6 years and always been confident that he would come up with the practical solution.

The scaffold industry is short of gifted imaginative engineers and in the current climate when we have to turn round quotations within a couple of days, we need somebody that can give accurate information over the phone so that we can put a price to the awkward job without incurring design costs.

I would strongly recommend Ryan Berry and wish him well in his new venture.